Soccer and football are two of the most popular sports in the world, and both activities require many of the same physical motions. Running, jogging, cutting, sprinting and jumping are common motions in football and soccer. Cleats for the two sports are very similar, but have some distinct differences.
Surface Cleats
Football cleats differ depending on the surface that the game is played on. Most high school games are played on a grass field outdoors, with some fields having advanced field turf technology. These cleats will be longer, straighter and more pointed to cut into the grass and dig into the field turf. In college and some professional stadiums, Astro turf will mandate the use of nub spikes and even tennis shoes to perform on the rock hard surface.
Soccer Style
Most soccer cleats are also molded and depend on the playing surface. A major difference is that soccer cleats will not be as long, on average, because football players -- especially linemen -- spend a majority of their pre-snap time digging into the ground. Soccer is a game of constant motion, and there is no need for long, sharp cleats. Soccer cleats are medium length and usually rounded, along with being spread out across the shoe's sole.
Take It Off
Football cleats have detachable options available along with the regular cleat models used by professional athletes. As players become more advanced and particular about their footwear, many start considering the detachable models. If a cleat was to become cut, severed or worn down, the player could just swap the cleat out using an easy-twist tool. Soccer cleats feature these interchangeable cleats as well, but the difference is that soccer players prefer the molded version, because they conform better to the soccer shoe's rounded sole.
Major Differences
Other major differences between soccer and football cleats include the presence of a toe cleat on most football spikes. This helps with digging into the ground as players look to gain vertical leverage before the play. Soccer spikes will not have a toe cleat, but rather split cleats on the front of the shoe positioned at either corner. Soccer cleats also come with caps, which provides durability and extends the life of the shoe. Football cleats typically do not come with caps.
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